Back to Basics

  Soo....my piece of crap...er..awesome...android smart phone, took it's like 5th or 6th downfall this week. I've had my smart phone (after my beloved blackberry curve took a swim in the hot tub) for about a year, and I've had Verizon send me 3 new batteries and two replacement phones for the same phone in the past year. I'm really just tired of it and of course it costs $40 regardless of whether it is working all of the time or not. So, tuesday night I did something crazy. And I now have a teeny red pantech phone with a slide out keypad that reminds me of my blackberry. Let me add that is very hard to break the law text and drive without a touch screen.   Bye Bye, Instagram. And Facebook. And Pinterest mobile. And candy crush saga. And Words with Friends. And email.   I think I'll be okay with it. I may or may not really want an ipad mini for graduation, which totally defeats the purpose of me saying that since I now have a basic phone I can go through a complete social media always connected to something detox. Oh well. I don't plan to buy a data package for my ipad (see I'm talking about it like I'm for sure getting one!) so I could only use it at home which would allow me to stop using Brandon's laptop and put my paperwriting days on the shelf for good. Or for a while. Whichever comes first.    In case you are wondering I am still working on those last two papers....torture! Especially since today is absolutely gorgeous outside.   On the plus side, my last Instagram photo was of my graduation tassle. What a way to remember me by! Now I am an official basic phone carrying old person.  

Puppies, Pizza & the Ohio Union

We took our engagement pictures on Monday! It was so much fun. I can't wait to see how they turned out! We took pictures on our property and at a nature center nearby. It was a lot of fun once we got into the swing of things!     Yesterday was my last day on campus. You may have heard (or not) that the Ohio Union was evacuated yesterday evening due to a suspicious package. Let's just say it took forever to get the bus (ours was one of the few that was even allowed to remain running) and get the heck outta there. Not how you expect to walk out of your last class. Then to make matters worse, we got onto the bus and someone was sitting in the front of the bus with a cardboard box. Probably nothing I'm sure, but not really something you want to see when you're just wanting to get off campus. It's like everything is heightened when you're in that kind of situation!  We've had our share of threats this whole month of April it seems like. I'm just glad that everyone is safe and that we were able to make it home from campus. Scary things these days, especially after everything going on in Boston. What an awful thing to take place! Definitely praying for everyone involved. My uncle lives in Boston and I'm thankful that he is okay!     Only one final case study and one online final exam stand in the way of me and my second degree from OSU. Hayla and I bought our caps & gowns yesteday (before the madness)!  

  I can't wait to get my cap decorated!     The College of Social Work Student Association successfully held puppies & pizza on Monday at OSU Mansfield! The event went way better than I had expected and we had over 100 students show up. I'm really happy that we were able to hold a major event before the end of the semester!   Here's some pictures:

 

There went exactly 425 hours.

 

Source: twitter.com via Brittany on Pinterest

    It was my last day of field today.  425 hours seemed to go by in a blink. Very bittersweet. I was blessed to be in one of the best placements in my opinion, and am thankful to have been treated like a staff member instead of just an intern.    I'm glad to have left on a Thursday, since I could end the work day with the in-school group. They are always hilarious.   Told myself I wouldn't cry, but true to form I did on my way out of the parking lot!  Sad to leave the two ladies that have become my greatest mentors and friends, but happy to know they have done all they can to give me an excellent foundation for the rest of my career.   They even got me brand new picture from Element of Art for my new office! Element of Art is an art studio/gallery here locally that features different pieces for purchase created by adults with developmental disabilities. My piece is a framed photograph from the perspective of looking into the sky from between the tree tops. Each piece from Element of Art comes with an index card with the picture and name of the artist and a short paragraph of what it is they like to create. It's an awesome place!     My last week of school is next week, 3 finals to go and I will have completed my college education! Short post today, but these last 2 weeks have been so busy! Hopefully the weather cooperates and we are able to get our engagement pictures done :) It's my last weekend of work this weekend, and I know that I will definitely not cry on my last day ;) So glad to (hopefully) leave my 3rd shift days behind me for good!! Yay!        

Southwestern BBQ Chicken & Roasted Garlic & Herb Potatoes

Wednesday was my friend Hayla's 22nd birthday! I tried my hand at stamping for the first time and made her this Taylor Swift themed card!

 

 

 

In case you haven't heard the song 22, here it is!

 

 

 

On to the food!

Tuesday I made Southwestern BBQ chicken courtesty of Robert Irvine of Restaurant Impossible!

 

It was soo good! I grilled the chicken on my George Foreman grill. The Smoky Rotisserie seasoning is discontinued, but I had some McCormick's Grill Mates Spicy Montreal steak seasoning, and it seemed to do the trick just fine. Definitely make this sauce!! Find the recipe here.

                                           I also made some roasted garlic & herb potatoes! These were awesome!

 

Here's what you'll need:

4 1/2 tsp chopped/minced garlic (I used from a jar, fresh would equal to 4 1/2 cloves)

2 tbs olive oil

Chopped Parsley (I didn't measure, oops! A few shakes!)

Thyme (Didn't measure again, but a few good shakes should do!)

Garlic Salt (Didn't measure again, shake it!)

Salt & Pepper to taste

5-6 small/medium potatoes, washed and chopped with skin on

Sprinkling of shredded mozzarella cheese

 

Here's what you do:

Preheat oven to 375. Line your baking pan with foil. Par-boil (boil until just cooked basically) the potatoes in water with some salt.

Drain potatoes and place in a mixing bowl.

Add in olive oil and seasonings and stir until the potatoes are coated.

Pour into baking pan and bake for about 20-25 mins until golden brown. Sprinkle on cheese and bake until cheese is just melted.

 

 

Enjoy!!